Presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi has addressed his first rally at Nakivubo War Memorial stadium, promising a transitional leadership from the old guard to a new generation of leaders.
“My task will be to preside over the transition of power from one generation to the next,” Amama told the mammoth crowd at Nakivubo.
“We can choose to be governed by confusion, intimidation and bribery. We can choose to yield and wither or be governed by grace and common sense. In fewer words, to go forward,” he said.
“We need managers and statesmen, new and old. Those who are more inclined to abuse rather than debate are not fit to be our leaders. We don’t need those who are used to lamenting instead of finding long term solutions to our problems,” Amama said.
The former Prime Minister gave his credentials to the crowd, positioning himself as the best candidate to take Uganda forward.
“I will draw upon my experience in the most important parts of government. In defence and security, I have been in the beginning and at the centre of creating security forces in Uganda. I have also served in areas of law and order, diplomacy and public administration.”
I have the crowds
Amama taunted those who said he has no supporters with the mammoth crowd that showed up for his rally.
“They said I will not register for the elections and I have registered. They said Mbabazi has no supporters. That he is alone with his wife! They challenged me to show just 10 people who supported me. I answered them with silence because I know what I do. I said let me go to Mbale and show you. I was arrested mid-way. I was patient and went back. Didn’t you see the people? We went to Kapchorwa. Didn’t you see the crowds? When we went to Soroti and Jinja, they welcomed us with teargas,” he said amid cheers from the crowd.
What he promises to do
When it came to telling the crowd what he hopes to do for Uganda, Amama turned to English to articulate himself better and MP Medard Ssegona played translator for the largely Luganda speaking audience.
“I was asked by journalists what new thing I will bring to Uganda considering that I have been in power. I told them that I will be the President of the republic of Uganda. I have been in government for long, but I have not been the president. Under the Constitution, all executive power is in the hands of the President.”
“I want to see Uganda strong and prosperous. To make Uganda work for everyone. Youth and children deserve good quality education and jobs. Women deserve to be treated as full citizens, not second class citizens, with a right to education and healthcare,” he said.
“Our goal is to provide solutions to poverty, corruption and healthcare. But also have in mind issues like globalisation and technological advancements, to make Uganda a great nation,” Amama said.
He regretted his wife Jacqueline not attending the rally. “My wife is not here because she is sick. She misses this moment greatly. She is following the proceedings from hospital. But she is well represented by our daughter Rachel.”
Peaceful transition of power
Amama stressed the need for peaceful transition of power. “The greatest challenge before us is peaceful transition of power. That is what I seek. A change in government through peaceful means. Peaceful transition speaks of endurance and stability of a nation,” he said.
